Wiring Review

 

I have discussed wring in several blog posts, here, here, here, here, here and here, among many others.

But what I intend for this post is compilation of the bricks that are used and how basic LED wiring can use these bricks.

First the bricks.

 

 

These are the basic Bricks that I use.  The wiring shown in the very first picture is 30 gauge wire, either twisted by hand or purchased in the black two conductor ribbon cable.  There is smaller wire (higher gauge number) available.  However better tools are needed to use these smaller wires as I explained on my website.  Just scroll down to wire sources.

These two pictures show how the 1 x 2 Brick with channel can be used.  By placing 1 x n Bricks on either side it will provide some support.  This method only allows for half of the channel to be exposed, but that is sufficient for the 30 gauge wire used.

This shows the wire running through the channel.  Another 1 x 2 Brick with channel is added to help secure the one underneath.

This is the same idea, but using the 2 x 2 Brick with channels.  With this brick you can run up to 4 wires up a column if needed.  The axle hole in the middle can also be used.

Here I use to 1 x 1 round bricks to create a channel.  You can also use 1 x 1 round plates to create the same channel.

These two pictures show how to run wire between two 1 x 1 round plates.  The easiest way is what is shown.  Place two round plates, then the wire followed by two more round plates.  You can do it with just one layer of round plates, wire placement is just more tedious.  

This shows a 2 x 6 plate covering the wire in order to hide it.  

Finally this is a way to hide a wire run using 2 x 2 curved slope.  Obviously  a 1 x 2 curved slope will also work.  I have used this technique to hide long wire runs.  This implementation uses a 1 x 4 plate topped with a 1 x 4 tile.  That stack could have been another 2 x 2 curved slope also.

These are just some of the possible ways to run wire inside a MOC.  I am sure there are other bricks that can be used also.

Brick Palooza

 We will be attending Brick Palooza again this year. The event will be in Santa Rosa CA on Saturday, November 23 from 10Am to 5PM.  Here is the information.

Northern California's all LEGO® festival, exhibition, and celebration for children and adult LEGO® fans of all ages!

Exhibits, vendors, demos, activities, art, food, and fun for the whole family!

The 8th Brick Palooza will be taking place on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 from 10:00AM - 5:00PM (PST) for General Admission and from 9:00AM - 5:00PM (PST) for Early Birds and VIPs. Brick Palooza 2024 will be taking place at 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building).

Meet the master builders & artists behind amazing LEGO® creations.

Vendors will be selling all kinds of LEGO® related products. From new and used sets, to vintage and classic. Bulk LEGO® by the pound, individual minifigures, jewelry, t-shirts, and so much more!

You can buy tickets at EventBrite or click here.

Cliff Module Build Part 3

 This video is Part 3 of a Lego Cliff Module Build for the Space Outpost SL ONE.  This video will show how the rock face is constructed.  I also talk about how the wiring is hidden behind the rock face.

Cliff Module Build Part 2

This video is Part 2 of a Lego Cliff Module Build for the Space Outpost SL ONE.  This video will show how the the wall structures and floor/ceiling structures are assembled.  Since a portion of the floor/ceiling is cantilevered, there needs to be some thought in this assembly.

Cliff Module Build Part 1

 

This is Part 1 of the video series for building a Cliff Module. This video is Part 1 of a Lego Cliff Module Build for the Space Outpost SL ONE.  This video will show how the base is built, then modified to run wiring and finally the first floor wall structure.. This video will show how the base is built, then modified to run wiring and finally the first floor wall structure.

 

 

 

 

Loose Ends #6

First I am adding a set of videos of how this was built.  In general it shows the base, the infrastructure and then the cliff build.  This was the second build of this module, where I added the first horizontal sediment layer.  This was all dark tan.  The video will show the third build, which is dark tan and medium nougat as shown in these two below.

In the picture directly above, there are two things to point out.  One is the use of filler brick, different colored 2 x bricks.  I have been picking these up along the way.  As long as guarantee they will not be exposed, they are great and inexpensive solution.  Second is the wiring.  The wiring enters/exits the first floor area near the ceiling through a 1 x 2 technic brick.  Then enters near the ceiling of the second floor through the same technic brick.

This is an expanded view of the wiring and the technic bricks.

This shows the method for containing the wire.  First is a 1 x 2  brick with channel, part number 4216.  Then is use 1 x 1 round bricks.  As I have shown many times, there is a gap formed by two round bricks, that is sufficiently large for the wire.

This picture highlights that I am alternating the round bricks and the 1 x 2 brick.  This is strictly for stability.  Unfortunate you cannot use any other type of brick or the channel that is created will be blocked.  It would be nice to tie this column into the rest of the build, but given the parts available, this is not an option

Some different views of the rock formation build.

And what it looks like finished.

One thing I added was this electrical conduit and panel control center.  There is still more work to do here.

Brick Fest Live Pasadena - Videos

 

Here are some video fly bys of the display as it was in Pasadena in 2024.  They are also on YouTube.

The one above is the complete fly Around.

This one is just the top.  This was the first showing of the top detail once the plateau was finished.

Finally this is a detailed view of the front only.

Loose Ends #5

 

One thing that did not stop in the last few months was acquiring more bricks.  The above was the largest acquisition, but there were a few more along the way.

I found this in a brick pile.  Not sure what it was, but some of the construction techniques are interesting.  

I had never seen these parts before.  Interesting 12 x 12 plates from the early 2000's.

Another update that happened was version 3 of the cliff structure.  The all tan color did not look right.  So I did some layering.  With dark tan and medium nougat slopes, I added the sedimentary type layer.  There will be more blog posts later in the month.

Brick Fest Live - Sacramento

 

The final Brick Fest Live for the year for us.  Five shows since July 13 to Sep 13.  I also made some changes and updated sections.  Will now take a break, since the next show is Brick Palooza in Santa Rosa CA on Nov 23, 2024.

Sacramento's finest showed for a look and some very interesting questions.

 Then the big guy showed up.

Along with a friend.

This is the first Brick Fest Live we have attended that had the Duplo Brick Pile.  As you can see in the last two pictures it led to some very long trains be constructed.

For whatever reason, the spontaneous builds were all about who go the highest.

And these guys are always entertaining.